Focus on mental health, public safety at inquest into Tumbler Ridge, B.C., deaths

By Canadian Press on March 3, 2026.

VICTORIA — An inquest into the deaths of nine people in Tumbler Ridge has been called to prevent future deaths, and will examine how the mental health and public safety systems intersect, British Columbia’s chief coroner says.

Dr. Jatinder Baidwan announced the inquest, which he said would also consider how guns were obtained by the killer.

Jesse Van Rootselaar shot dead her mother and 11-year-old half-brother at their home before killing five students, a teacher’s aide and then herself at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School on Feb. 10.

Baidwan said Tuesday that the tragedy prompted widespread discussions about mental health and public safety, and a key part of the inquest will be looking at how people in crisis are identified and supported.

The inquest will consider any systemic factors, “including how mental health and public safety systems intersect with firearms oversight and how information is shared between online platforms, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and law enforcement,” he said.

OpenAI said after the shooting that Van Rootselaar had been flagged for her use of its artificial intelligence platform ChatGPT, and her account was shut down last June. However, the company said last week that she got around the ban by having a second account.

Baidwan said he doesn’t have the power to compel OpenAI, an American firm, to participate in the inquest, but that most businesses will co-operate because it’s in their best interests.

The inquest will also consider how northern and rural communities in B.C. access mental health supports.

“As chief coroner, my mandate is to promote public safety and the findings and recommendations from this inquest will inform practice and support safety and well-being in communities across British Columbia and Canada,” he said during a news conference at the provincial legislature.

The coroners service has a unique role in looking at the deaths openly and in a way that will maintain public confidence, Baidwan said.